Combat The Perceptions--Gabe Lyons Session

 

“Today is the Day” echoed through Robert Morris’ Sewall Arena as the Momentum Choir opened the Wednesday morning session in song.

Dave Guiles, Executive Director of Grace Brethren International Missions, introduced the "Day of Generosity". GBIM is encouraging churches to take a special offering to match gifts given by churches overseas. Amidst their poor conditions, these 3,000 churches have given $230,000. GBIM is hoping to match that gift on the first Sunday of November by inviting churches and youth groups across America to join together for a Day of Generosity. The goal is to raise a lot of money to help send non-North American missionaries into some of the toughest places on earth.

Josh Beers from Lancaster Bible College took the stage. Josh spent 12 years in youth ministry until God moved him into his role at Lancaster Bible. He told the conference how he loves settings like Momentum where students want to make their lives count. Josh reminded students that Giving Care, Giving Hope isn’t just a week-long event, but a life-long endeavor. “It’s not a 2:8 week, but a 2:8 life,” says Josh. LBC is blogging their conference stay at lbc.edu/momentum.

Tim Wright, youth pastor of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church in Winona Lake, IN, introduced Dr. Don DeYoung, professor of physics at Grace College. Don talked with students about questions scientists have that can be answered with the Bible. He concluded by saying that the Bible is an essential guidebook to understanding the past, present, and future.

Larry Everett, We Care Pittsburgh Coordinator, introduced Operation Barnabas. The group did a skit illustrating how to approach people while on We Care.

After students led in Bible reading and prayer, Steve Fee and his band energized the conference with praise and worship to God.

Gabe Lyons, main session speaker, talked with students about perceptions non-Christians have of Christians.

Gabe referred to movies, documentaries, and books that portray Christians as lunatics and unrespectable. “Many non-Christian students don’t want to show up at your event,” said Gabe, because they’re afraid they will be brainwashed. “

We live in a society where all religions, all faiths are tolerated equally. This is the first generation to experience living in a post-Christian generation.

Gabe did research to find out what reactions people have to Christians. His findings were very revealing.

87% Feel Christians are judgmental -- prideful and quick to find faults in others.
85% Hypocritical -- say one thing, but live entirely different.
78% Sheltered -- Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
75% Too political -- Christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right wing politics.
70% Proselytizers -- Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others.

“When you go into Pittsburgh,” Gabe said, “you’re starting on a negative deck.”

Gabe discussed with the students ways they can combat these perceptions.

Gabe told students to do what Jesus did -- love others and let that love shine through them.

Steve Fee closed the session with song.